Shoe closures

ABSTRACT

A closure for shoes having opposing shoe flaps with a plurality of spaced-apart eyelets therein, has flexible loops extending from respective eyelets to engage about respective portions of buttons or block members disposed on an oppositely positioned flap to urge the shoe flaps together, thus enabling a person to engage the loops on respective button members or blocks to retain the shoe on the person&#39;s foot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A closure for shoes has opposing shoe flaps, and a plurality of spaced-apart eyelets in the flaps. Flexible loops extend from respective eyelets to engage about respective buttons or block members disposed on an oppositely positioned flap to urge the shoe flaps together. This enables engagement of loops on respective buttons or blocks to retain the shoe on the foot.

Threaded caps extend through the eyelets to secure the shoe flaps to threaded members on the blocks.

The blocks or button members may preferably be configured or decorated to present a pleasing appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child's shoe with closure features according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view showing a loop and button assembly;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a loop engaged on a block member;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing certain components in exploded relation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a child's shoe showing decorative button members thereon;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing the button member of flat configuration;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 showing components in engaged relation;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of components shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lamp feature utilized with the invention; and

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein ornamental buttons are utilized instead of the block members of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shoe closures.

Young children or handicapped persons or disabled persons cannot generally tie their shoes. An object of the present invention is to enable such children, handicapped or disabled persons, to effect shoe closure by themselves. Closures according to the present invention may easily be utilized by engaging loop elements extending from shoe eyelets about a block member extending from opposite flaps on the shoe. Closures of the invention may be utilized with any shoe having eyelets on shoe flaps. Shoe fasteners according to the invention may preferably be decorative.

Referring to the drawings, a shoe 10 has loops 12 of flexible tubing, which extend from eyelets on shoe flaps 14 to retain the shoe closed. As indicated in FIGS. 2 through 4, each of the flexible loops 13 extends through a shoe eyelet 18, and is engaged with a button or block 16. Threaded caps 22 extend through the eyelets to secure the shoe flaps 14 to threaded member 24 on the blocks 16. A flat button member 20 is utilized in embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The button 20 and blocks 16 may preferably be decorative and pleasing in appearance as indicated in FIG. 5, which shows a multi-fingered design 26 of a block member, and a button 20.

FIG. 9 shows a light arrangement which may be utilized with the embodiments of FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, wherein a cylindrical lamp member 30 is disposed on a loop for attachment to a flap portion of a shoe, the light being energized by means of a battery (not shown).

The buttons and blocks are so configurated as to be interchangeable, thus to enable quick interchangeable use as between respective shoes, and the mixing and matching of buttons on the same shoe.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the preferred embodiments discussed above without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is established by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A closure for shoes, comprising: first and second opposing shoe flaps on a shoe, each flap having therein a plurality of spaced-apart eyelets, and flexible loops extending from respective ones of said eyelets on said first flap to extend about respective portions of button members disposed on the second oppositely positioned flap to urge the shoe flaps together, whereby one or more of said flexible loops may be engaged on respective button members disposed on oppositely positioned second flaps to retain the shoe flaps together to retain the shoe on a foot.
 2. A closure according to claim 1 wherein said at least one button member has a block configuration.
 3. A closure according to claim 1 wherein the blocks are decorative.
 4. A closure according to claim 1 and further comprising a light device on the shoe.
 5. A closure for shoes, comprising: first and second opposing shoe flaps on a shoe, each flap having therein a plurality of spaced-apart eyelets, and flexible loops extending from respective ones of said eyelets on said first flap to extend about respective portions of button members disposed on the second oppositely positioned flap to urge the shoe flaps together, said flexible loops having portions adapted to engage about said buttons to pull said shoe flaps together to retain the shoe on a foot.
 6. A closure according to claim 5 wherein the said at least one button member has a block configuration.
 7. A closure according to claim 5 wherein the blocks are decorative.
 8. A closure according to claim 5 and further comprising a light device on the shoe.
 9. A closure according to claim 5 wherein said shoe is a child's shoe. 